Manila North, South cemeteries bracing for a million visitors’ surge – MPD

Queue at the entrance of the Manila South Cemetery. INQUIRER.net file photo

MANILA, Philippines —  The total crowd estimate for both Manila North and South cemeteries has climbed to over one million just two hours before their closing hours at 5 p.m., police reported on Wednesday afternoon.

Based on the data from the Manila Police District (MPD), of the 1,130,000 visitors, 980,000 were recorded at the the Manila North Cemetery, while the remaining 150,000 were monitored at the Manila South Cemetery.

The crown estimate in Manila North Cemetery at 4 p.m. is about 16 times higher than the crowd estimate recorded at 8:30 a.m., which is 60,000.

To ensure the safety of these visitors, MPD dispatched 279 police personnel who will man assistant desks and inspect items by the 54-hectare graveyard’s entrance.

READ: LIST: Presidents, politicians, celebrities you can visit at Manila North Cemetery

MPD’s ongoing inspections and patrol confiscated prohibited items such as cigarettes, perfumes, and other flammable objects.

Police said it confiscated 639 flammable materials, 548 pieces of cigarettes, and 1,274 perfumes during entrance inspection from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. since October 30.

Meanwhile, no other details were provided with the ongoing inspections at the Manila South Cemetery.